Renovation Innovation

Searching for the latest trends in home technology and design? Here are some products making a splash this summer.

Better Building

Problem: You need a quick, simple fix for drafty and odd-size windows.

Solution: Ultimate Replacement Casement windows by Marvin. They can be made to fit almost any size window opening, and a unique design allows for speedy installation―no need to disturb existing trim. Even better, the panes pivot inward for easy cleaning.

Solution: Nautilus wall sheathing by Georgia-Pacific. With a weather-resistant barrier, this product boosts energy-efficiency by minimizing air leaks and moisture damage, so there is no need for costly building wrap with time-consuming installation.

Solution: Silestone Life Series countertops by Cosentino. With an eye-popping palette ranging from Key-lime green to indigo, these natural-quartz countertops promise to take your kitchen from so-so to smashing.

Solution: Sensor Dome cooktop by Thermador. This revamped electric cooktop can make anyone look like a culinary know-it-all. The latest infrared technology senses the temperature of your cookware and maintains precise heat as you cook.

Solution: Four-Door French-Door Refrigerator by LG. This model offers a 1-foot-tall ice and water dispenser (a first among French-door models), double freezer drawers (the top drawer holds frequently accessed items, and the bottom drawer stores bulky or long-term items), and a hydraulic hinge system that automatically closes doors.